46

Asher inclines her head. "I'll leave you to it, then," she says. "I'm going to check over the building before I turn in."

It's hard to know when Asher sleeps. Certainly you've only rarely seen her doing so, and it's only been under unusual circumstances. You close the door behind you, and make ready for bed.

It's while you're drifting off that your mind alights upon the memory of your mother speaking about your future engagement.

You're certain that no one would pressure you into a physical relationship if you didn't want one. And romance has always felt like something for other people. Maybe you could make a political arrangement with a friend, if they wanted such a thing.